“Ladies and gentlemen,” called Veve. “Miss Davidson was only practicing! You now will have the pleasure of seeing this great acrobat do a regular headstand.”
The next time, Sunny kept her balance much better. When she jumped to her feet and made a sweeping bow, the audience clapped and everyone was sure the circus would be a great success.
“The next act, ladies and gentlemen,” announced Veve, “will be an exhibition by the great-est horseback rider in the world—Miss Connie Williams.”
Veve should have said “the greatest goat rider in the world,” because Connie had no horse. She had unhitched the goat from the cart and was trying to climb astride.
However, her mount was not used to such treatment and refused to budge.
“Switch him a little, Veve,” she urged.
Veve did as she was told, but laid the stick on a trifle too hard. The goat bolted across the vacant lot so fast that Connie was thrown to the ground. Luckily, she fell in the soft grass and was unhurt.
The circus continued, but at a slower pace. After awhile, Mrs. Williams and the other parents began to drift away, so that only children were left as spectators.
Scarcely had the grownups departed than a group of older boys came down the street. Seeing that a circus was in progress, they perched themselves on the back fence to watch.
“You have to pay five cents to get in,” Connie informed them politely.